Well this certainly exceeded my expectations! I’m a huge fan of contemporary fantasy and the fact that Dennard skillfully had modern flair but still managed to create a unique setting is no small feat. The concept of the book was interesting, different, and totally had me hooked. I really liked the main character, Winnie! She is scrappy and someone you will definitely root for, it was nice watching her character grow confidence throughout the book. Overall, I didn’t feel there was a ton of resolution in this one but it certainly does a fantastic job setting up the series (Trilogy? Duology? Not too sure.) and I will absolutely read on! The awesome twist, albeit unsurprising, at the end has me soo mad that I need to wait forever until book 2! Highly recommend to all YA fantasy lovers.

WOW I read this in one sitting and really loved it! Winnie was such a scrappy main character and I really loved reading from her. The romance didn't blow me away but was fine.

World-wise, this was really unique with a slightly secret society and a lot of information that came across really easily. I was shocked by a few of the twists at the end and I can't wait for book 2!

This was a YA fiction novel with a dash of dystopian flavor. I found that while the world building was very full and detailed, the story itself at times was a little flat. That being said, I really enjoyed this book and think now that the groundwork is in place that the next novel will be even better. I look forward to reading this series.

The Luminaries is a YA contemporary fantasy that is addictive and captivated me from the first line. The characters are relatable and likeable, the pace and plot were well done. The world building was incredible and oh my if you love your monsters there is plenty in this book. The authors imagination is incredible. I’m very excited to continue this story in the next instalment. Also Jay is adorable. 😍

I LOVE this book! Thank you, Susan Dennard for a fantastic read. While I typically prefer first person, I didn't mind reading The Luminaries in third person. I still felt a great connection with Winnie's character. Her feelings, motivations, and obstacles all felt realistic and difficult--and I couldn't keep from reading once I'd started. The other characters, ranging from Winnie's family to her ex-friend Jay and her group of new friends brought the world to life. This story felt unique and exciting, and I was definitely disappointed when it ended. Reading the first of a series is always a little hard when the next book(s) isn't out yet, but this was still worth it! I am excited to follow Winnie and Jay's story as it progresses. There is an element that I feel like will soon be turned into a big plot twist that feels very obvious to me, but I don't think it impacts the quality of the book. Dennard's writing is inviting, charming, and believable. I can't wait for this series to progress! Highly recommend!

**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Reading The Luminaries by Susan Dennard felt like a werewolf bit me and didnt let go, I was obessed and read it every spare moment. Culture runs thicker than blood. In Hemlock Falls there is a forest that holds monsters, or in the book they are more aptly named nightmares. Winnie and her family are outcasts until Winnie brings them back into society through her Hunter trials. At sixteen, they are thrown into the forest to kill a nightmare, Winnie does that too. But there is one thing that separates her from the rest of the victors. It's all a lie. There is something else, something that consumes the nightmares. Although there is one group of creatures in the forest that I completely love. And those are the ghost deer. Mentioned in multiple chapters but this one on chapter twenty-seven was my favorite "It is a ghost-deer— a ghost-doe actually, with two ghost-fawns beside her."

This was such a fun story and now I’m mad I have to wait for the next book!

Winnie’s family have been labeled as outcasts for ✨reasons✨ but Winnie is doing what she can to try and get back into the good graces of the Luminaries. To do so, Winnie must become a hunter. And not just any hunter… a hunter of nightmares.

This story has action, monsters, misfits, family bonds, friendship and more. It was a truly delightful story and I am looking forward to what comes next! Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy!

This book was absolutely incredible! Honestly one of the best I’ve read so far this year. The writing was impeccable. I could visualize the entire story as I was reading. You find yourself identifying with Winnie as she hopes to join the Luminaries despite being shunned by the community. You find yourself lost in this amazing world and you will not want to leave. Thank you NetGalley and Susan Dennard for letting me review this book and I can’t wait for book 2.

This is so good. I didn't like the author's previous work so I didn't have high expectations but this is really well written and engaging. Highly recommended for YA shelves.

"Death is a part of life in Hemlock Falls. It's part of life beside the forest. You lose your family, you lose your friends, you lose yourself. The sooner 'the children/ learn what the forest can do to them, the safer and happier they'll be."

Winnie Wednesday and her family are outcasts after her father betrays their society of Luminaries, hiding the fact that he is a Diana, or a mortal enemy of the Luminaries. Frustrated watching her family perform the lowliest of tasks and enduring poor treatment from almost everyone around her, Winnie decides that the only course forward is to attempt the first trial to become a hunter, a group of elites that risk their lives in the forest to protect the world around them. When the night arrives, things go awry, and the outcome is everything that Winnie could have dreamed of while also changing the course of her life irreparably.

"Culture runs thicker than blood."

What a cool concept! Dennard employs the use of nightmares created by a sleeping spirit, and I loved the detail in which each one was characterized. The usage of The Compendium was perfect for providing the information, and Winnie's experience as a corpse collector made her anatomical understanding believable. Furthermore, the vivid descriptions of the forest itself were atmospheric, offering a nice contrast to the urban world in which the Luminaries reside.

My main issue was the abrupt ending. Unlike a cliffhanger, it didn't feel like a natural stopping point. I was disappointed that the vast majority of the questions that came up throughout the novel were never answered prior to the conclusion. Even so, I found myself consistently thinking about THE LUMINARIES after finishing the book, and I know that I'll be picking up the sequel. Thank you, Tor Teen and NetGalley, for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Be sure to check this one out when it hits the shelves in November, and let me know what you think!

A couple of random thoughts:
1. I would love to see a glossary dedicated to the various nightmares and the clans/their respective mottos.
2. The story about how this book came to be is fascinating, and I wish I would have been able to "play along"!

This was an intriguing plot, and I appreciated the execution though I felt like the world building needed a little more work.

This is the first book I have read by Dennard, and it definitely won't be the last.

The basis of this story is intriguing and was well executed. From the very start I was completely entranced by the concept of the nightmares and the trials required to become a 'hunter'. Winnie's character was relatable and left you sympathetic to her situation. Although the romance portion - if we can call it that really - was predictable, it did leave me wondering more about what will happen with this relationship. The only qualm I had with this book was the description of "teeth clicking" that was constantly used in conjunction with our MC.

Grateful that this will be a series, but wish I could read the next one immediately. I have so many questions regarding the storyline and where it is going, and so many theories on the questions that were left unanswered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC of this eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Susan Dennard writes a haunting story about an unknown place called Hemlock Falls and its unlikely heroine Winnie. It is a fringe place whose inhabitants slay terrifying creatures coming from the forest mists: vampira, banshees, werewolves, harpies, etc. After she and her family are cast out from her clan for disloyalty, Winnie must endure terrifying feats in order to win back the approval of her people and prove that she is one of them.

  There were many thrilling and interesting components to the novel. I particularly liked the scenes from the forest where Winnie must use creativity and cunning to survive. I also liked that elements were shrouded in mystery that left the reader questioning, are the nightmares all bad? Who is Winnie’s dad? Are there other nefarious people/nightmares at work?
 
   There were a few parts that I didn’t love, the first being the weak and predictable romantic subplot. Not every book needs an angsty teen romance. In addition, while I recognize that this book is intended to be a series, I really dislike it when you are forced to read another book in order to solve the riddles in the preceding book. There is a fine line between leaving the reader wanting more because the plot is mystifying and leaving the reader frustrated because very few questions are answered.
 
Many thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for this title in exchange for my honest review.

The luminaries by Susan Dennard takes a monster-fighter fantasy and gently interweaves a social and political commentary throughout. Although the main characters are 16 years old and the book is categorized as YA, I believe it will appeal to middle grade readers as well.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊

The Luminaries reminded me of The Angelfall, which came out in 2015; I'm not sure why, perhaps because the concept is a YA fantasy, but I liked it. It just feels nostalgic; aside from that, it gives me a dystopian vibe, and the characters' last names are unique because they use the names of the days according to their community group. It depicts Hemlock Fall, a city plagued by monsters and nightmares.

The Luminaries are an ancient order tasked with guarding its citizens against monsters and nightmares. Winnie Wednesday, who wants to join the association, must face a series of trials dealing with monsters and nightmares that could endanger her life, especially when she discovers a new danger lurking in Hemlock Fall.

To be honest, I was completely unaware of what was going on, including the plot of this book, but about halfway through, I realized where the story was heading. Winnie's trial was riveting from start to finish. I loved it!

Super disappointed I didn't love this one... After loving the entire Witchlands series by Dennard, I really expected this one to be a new favorite book. And really, it was my expectations that let me down.

I went into this one expecting the same level of completely that the Witchlands have. I expected moving parts, worldbuilding, complex characters, and an impeccable romance. Instead I got something that was just ok. By itself, I would've really enjoyed it. But with my preconceived expectations, this was a letdown.

Part of the reason for that was the worldbuilding. It all felt so messy. This is urban fantasy, but the outside world is barely mentioned. We know one clan keeps word about this community from escaping, but how? Why? The concept was so strong, but the execution was so lacking. After seeing this described as atmospheric and bewitching, I really wanted more.

The other thing that really bugged me was the predictability. Every plot "twist" felt overrused. This read like every other cliche YA fantasy, with very little variation. And, even though some twists have yet to be revealed, I'm almost certain I have them right. (Not cocky, just seems to be the way this book is going)

Like other reviewers have said, this book ended in an odd spot. Not quite a cliffhanger, I'm not desperate for the next book. At the same time, this left off with no conclusion. It just ended. I expected another chapter, but I guess I must wait. I'll read the next book, but my expectations have been significantly lowered.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Part of me wishes I didn’t read this, just so I would have the opportunity to read it for the first time again. Absolutely AMAZING. Couldn’t put it down, I was glued to the story with an unnatural hold. Didn’t think my request would be approved, so thank you a million times over to NetGalley and the publishers!!!

I didn’t think I would get to read this early and I’m so glad I could!! It is SO freaking good!! I really loved getting more insights into the creatures and the dark foreboding forest. I have so many theories because there’s just a lot of things happening and a lot of things still coyly hidden away.

Our main character Winnie (and the rest of her fam) are shunned by no fault of their own. Despite the hate Winnie continues her plans to compete in the trials to be hunter. Winnie achieves her goal but not like she thought. There’s a mysteriously new and potentially more dangerous creature within the forest but no one in their society is taking it seriously. I really loved the world building and I’m so curious about other forests in other parts of the world.

I honestly forgot I was reading the first book in a series lol. It was a sharp reminder when it ended how amazing Dennard is at reeling you in. I can’t wait for the rest of the series and more ugh Jay. I have a desperate need to know all the things. Many thanks to Macmillan publishing for an early copy!!

Luminaries, by Susan Dennard, is a YA fantasy that you NEED to get your hands on!

I was completely hooked by the first sentence, and I didn't want to stop reading. It's so easy to fall in love with the Luminary world that Susan created, that I didn't want the story to end. I really hope that this is going to become a series, because there are so many unanswered questions that I have.

Definitely one for the personal library.

Beyond amazing! This book was an incredible read and I can't recommend it enough. This is a book you'll want on your shelf and to give as a gift. Everyone needs to read it.